Red Wings see Traverse City prospect tournament/training camp as a competitive advantage

As Red Wings GM Ken Holland will head up to Traverse City to re-christen an expanded an improved Centre Ice Arena on Thursday, arena manager Terry Marchand made an intriguing comment to the Traverse City Morning Star's Greg Gielczyk, noting that the Wings appreciate the fact that their prospect tournament and training camp's first-class status can make a particularly strong first impression upon the Wings' top prospects:

September 6, Traverse City Morning Star: Holland feels that the atmosphere of Traverse City, and the way the town
has embraced the players who visit each year has contributed to the Red
Wings' success in signing their high priority prospects. So, he wanted the facilities to be even more conducive to promoting professional hockey...."Four years ago, the Red Wings came to us and said they wanted us to
keep the proceeds from the golf tournament and dinner" Marchand said.
"They also said that eventually they wanted us to build two NHL-sized
locker rooms.

"The draft picks who come up here, the way they're
treated by the town and our 200-plus volunteers ... Ken thinks it's a
real advantage for him in signing them.